Veterans honored at OSU Mansfield brunch with a sneak peek at 'A Horse Named Reckless.'
Retired Mansfield psychiatrist Jay Haar was 10 years old when North Korea bombed Seoul.
Haar, now 83, is known locally for always sharing his gratitude for the United States coming to his country's rescue. On June 25, 1950, North Korea bombed South Korea. The Haar family lived in Seoul.
He and about 30 veterans from all military service branches attended a free Veterans Day annual celebration open to the public at the campus of The Ohio State University-Mansfield/North Central State College Wednesday in Eisenhower Center.
"Thank you to all of you who not only sacrificed themselves but helped the country to reshape, restart. And here we are. I was just 10 years old when you guys came," Haar said. "We were going to lose the country and we almost lost it and you guys came and fought all the way back and liberated the country. This is a big thing for us and for you. It's incredible the feeling we have is 'mission accomplished' but the war is still going on. It is not safe. There are so many tensions and conflicts and situations but I want you to know Korea is much more vigilant," he told the News Journal previously.
Haar talked about, "A Horse Named Reckless," and veterans were treated to an abbreviated performance of the program after brunch.
In the Korean War, a small, chestnut mare named Reckless fought alongside U.S. Marines to carry heavy ammunition to the front lines, he said. Haar was emotional as he talked about the upcoming weekend OSUM play, titled, "A Horse Named Reckless.
Col. Jerry Clark, deputy commander of 179th Cyber Operations Group of Ohio ANG, was the keynote speaker at Wednesday's program at OSU-M.
Clark spoke of the need for all Americans to honor U.S. veterans and remember the fallen on Veterans Day, which this year is on Saturday.
He said everyone is to be reminded of the sacrifices made by the armed forces, and also citizens and families.
He spoke of the attacks by terrorists 22 years ago on the United States on Sept. 11, and the lives lost in New York at the Twin Towers, in Washington at the Pentagon, and in the fields of western Pennsylvania.
"The terrorists failed to hit their target on that fourth aircraft that went down in Pennsylvania due to the heroic citizens who fought back. Certainly it would have been a lot worse without their gallantry. They volunteered and sacrificed for others much like our all-volunteer force today," Clark said.
"The military cannot prosecute a war without the support of the community, the state and the nation," he said.
Veterans get look at performance about famous horse in Korean War
Joseph Fahey, who is the director of OSUM's theatre program, and also a Navy veteran, wrote the play from historical documents; his father was a Korean War veteran. Based on a true story, this original work recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and all who served.
Sgt. Reckless also became the first horse in the Marine Corps known to have participated in an amphibious landing, and following the war was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, inclusion in her unit's Presidential Unit Citations from two countries, and other military honors, according to Wikipedia.
Her wartime service record was featured in The Saturday Evening Post, and LIFE magazine recognized her as one of America's 100 all-time heroes.
One-hour show recognizes 70th anniversary of Korean War, all who served
The campus will perform "A Horse Named Reckless" Friday at 7:30 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. This show is supported by the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 51.
Haar, who will sing a song at Friday's performance that his late father wrote, said the performance by theater students brings back so much emotion.
"Without this horse, so the capital city could have been invaded again by Chinese troops. There were thousands and because of the supply the horse made up and down, up and down, one day she (the horse) made 51 trips to the mountain top," Haar said.
Horse sculpture created by OSUM art professor, carousel carver
The horse sculpture on the stage in Founder's Auditorium was made by John Thrasher, art professor at OSUM, and Tim Gorka, a former carver with Carousel Works. Haar and his wife Jennifer stood near the stage admiring the horse sculpture at Founder's Auditorium.
All shows are open to the public, free of charge, with no tickets required.
The Pearl Conard Art Gallery also has a special veterans art exhibit opening on Friday called, "Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations."
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jay Haar of Seoul to sing at Friday's OSUM program honoring veterans
